By Miriam Humbe
On January 6, 2025, the Nigeria Police Force formally wrote to Amnesty International demanded an immediate retraction and public apology regarding a publication titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on and Bad Governance Protests”.
ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) disclosed this in a statement signed on Tuesday.
The Nigeria Police Force also warned that failure of Amnesty International to comply within the period of one week from today, would prompt the Force to take legal action to protect its well earned reputation.
The publication in question, which includes numerous unsubstantiated claims, falsely accused the Nigeria Police of human rights violations, police brutality, and excessive violence during the August 2024 End Bad Governance protests.
Upon careful review and investigation, the NPF categorically rejected these baseless allegations, affirming that the claims were entirely false and without foundation.
The NPF emphasized that during the protests, the Police acted with restraint and professionalism, even at the highest point of provocation and violent attacks, adhering to global best practices and using minimal force where necessary.
Evidence, including national media coverage, demonstrates the Police’s efforts to maintain law and order while safeguarding peaceful protesters.
Criminal elements attempting to exploit the protests were however arrested and dealt with according to law.
The Nigeria Police Force strongly believes that this misleading publication undermined the trust and confidence it has worked diligently to build with Nigerian citizens and residents.
The Force further underscored that such false claims harmed the reputation of the Organisation and demoralised its officers who risked their lives to protect the public.
In light of these falsehoods, the NPF has therefore demanded that Amnesty International issues a formal retraction and public apology within seven days.
The statement said: “Failure to comply will prompt the NPF to consider legal actions to protect its reputation.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to its duty of safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians, upholding the law, and earning the trust of the people it serves.”
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